Head of Pre-School

Reports to

Unit Coordinator / Head of Early Years Practice / Early Years Manager

Our mission

To provide exceptional early years care in a safe, nurturing and fulfilling environment whilst inspiring children to unlock their full potential through key skills and values which will establish them as gifted citizens of the world.

Our vision

To be a nursery where teaching is fun, and learning is easy.

Our values

We are caring

We are kind, gentle, calm, and welcoming. We respect the children, each other, and our environment. We teach the children and are ready to listen and learn from them. We build trusting, supportive, and non-discriminatory relationships in the best interests of the child. We have sensitive, responsive, and expressive interactions between practitioner and children. We celebrate each child’s unique perspective and take children seriously as active and competent members of society.

We are energetic

We play, learn, and laugh together, spending time outdoors and encouraging children to be active, confident, and joyful participants. We provide experiences which inspire creativity and nurture curiosity, enabling children to be independent, resilient, and successful. We grow, eat, and cook together, building skills for a healthy future.

We are innovative

We uphold traditional theories and pedagogies, but constantly review, research, and reflect. We listen to ideas and are ready to embrace them. We are proud to be leaders in progressive childcare.

Your duties

Daily duties

  • To plan and organise a suitable daily routine for individual children according to their needs, age and stage and in accordance with their parent’s wishes. The Early Years Teacher will lead this in settings where an Early Years Teacher is employed (see Early Years Teacher job description).
  • Take a lead role in directing and guiding Early Years staff to deliver children’s activities in accordance with the Early Years Foundation Stage and with defined local policies and regulations. The EYFS should be planned and implemented with an equal opportunity’s environment. The Early Years Teacher will lead this in settings where an Early Years Teacher is employed (see Early Years Teacher job description).
  • To manage and motivate your team, keeping the manager informed at all times of any relevant issues.
  • To liaise effectively with other rooms in order to effect smooth transition for the children.
  • To ensure students / apprentices / early years practitioners are monitored, supervised and encouraged and any concerns are to be communicated to your line manager immediately.
  • To delegate responsibilities in your absence to a suitable deputy to ensure a safe, welcoming, clean and tidy environment at all times, including the beginning and end of the day.
  • Be aware of Health & Safety policies and review and update risk assessments and risk issues.
  • To ensure a safe, welcoming, clean and tidy environment at all times, including the beginning and end of the day.
  • Maintain registers and other relevant records.
  • To create a welcoming environment that is positive and welcoming to everyone.

Age specific duties

  • To liaise effectively with the toddler room in order to effect smooth transition for the children.

What you need

Essential

  • Enhanced DBS
  • Aged 18 or over
  • Minimum of a Level 3 qualification specific to Early Years as defined by the Department for Education and at least two years’ experience in a childcare setting.
  • At least two years’ post qualifying experience working within an Early Years setting
  • Specific knowledge and experience of working with your specialised age group
  • Ability to engage with colleagues and parents
  • A willingness to undertake relevant further training as and when required
  • Good communication skills both written and verbal
  • Ability to engage and interact positively with children
  • Able to follow instructions and work using own initiative as necessary
  • Reliable, responsible, trustworthy and motivated
  • Commitment to safeguarding children at all times

Desirable

  • Subscription to the DBS update service
  • Experience of working with children 0 – 5 years
  • GCSE 4+ in English and Maths (A – C)
  • Food Hygiene Certificate
  • Paediatric First Aid Training (12 hours)
  • Emergency First Aid at Work (1 day)
  • Foundation Safeguarding Awareness Training
  • A higher-level qualification i.e., Foundation Degree in Early Years / Early Childhood Studies Degree